Closing device, particularly for jewels and the like

ABSTRACT

Present invention relates to a closing device, particularly for jewels and like, comprising a main body and at least a hook, hinged each other with said at least a hook movable about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided between said main body and said at least a hook, respectively, at least between a closure configuration, wherein a free end of said at least a hook is in contact with an abutment surface defined by said main body, and an opening configuration, wherein said free end is far from said abutment surface, to permit insertion of said at least one hook within a ring body, and vice versa, said device being characterized in that it comprises blocking means in at least one of said configurations, said blocking means comprising, for each one of said at least one hook, at least two grooves, respectively obtained on a lateral surface of said at least one hook, and at least a pawl, sliding housed within a sliding seat, obtained in said main body, along an interception direction substantially perpendicular with respect to said lateral surface, second elastic means being further provided between the bottom of said sliding seat and said at least one pawl to maintain said at least one pawl pushed against said lateral surface, thus blocking said at least one hook with respect to said main body.

Present invention concerns a closing device, particularly for jewels andlike.

Among closing and quick hooking and releasing devices known in the“jewelry” and like sector, “carabineer” closing devices are known,mainly comprising a main body, usually having a “pear” shape, andprovided with, in correspondence of the pear tip, a clip, to which aring of the chain or of the object to which is associated, and having,on the side opposite to said clip, an elastically operated hook that canmove from an opening configuration to a closing configuration, and viceversa, in order to open ad closing a slot wherein another ring of thechain is engaged.

More specifically, said hook is provided with spring means generallyconsisting of a pin spring placed about a hinge pin between the samehook and main body of the device and such to generate a uniform springaction maintain the hook in its closure configuration.

Passage to the opening configuration occurs by operating a leverintegral with the hook, said lever being manually moved by the user,thus moving the hook against the action of said spring elements from theclosing configuration o the opening configuration, as already mentionedin the preceding.

Thus, the user keeps the hook in its open configuration and at the sametime places it in the wished position to hook the chain ring to beclosed, said step being carried out by the free hand.

Said known closing devices have some drawbacks, among which it must bementioned the fact that, being them very small when used in the jewelrysector, it is difficult and cumbersome for the average user making theabove operations.

In fact, in order to keep well open the hook by acting on the oppositelever, the user can engage the latter with his/her nails that, if notenough long, can be inefficacy to reach the result and/or even breakingdue to the high local pressure.

Main object of the present invention is that of realizing a closingdevice, particularly for jewels and like, solving the above drawbacks.

Within the above, an object of present invention is that of realizing aclosing device that can be easily used.

Another object of the present invention is that of realizing a closingdevice easy to realize, safely usable, and that can be manufactured atlow costs.

The above, as well other objects that will be evident in the following,are obtained by a closing device, particularly for jewels and like,comprising a main body and at least a hook, hinged each other with atleast a movable hook about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action offirst elastic means provided between said main body and said at least ahook, respectively, at least between a closure configuration, wherein afree end of said at least a hook is in contact with an abutment surfacedefined by said main body, and an opening configuration, wherein saidfree end is far from said abutment surface, to permit insertion of saidat least one hook within a ring body, and vice versa, said device beingcharacterized in that it comprises blocking means in at least one ofsaid configurations, said blocking means comprising, for each one ofsaid at least one hook, at least two grooves, respectively obtained on alateral surface of said at least one hook, and at least a pawl, slidinghoused within a sliding seat, obtained in said main body, along aninterception direction substantially perpendicular with respect to saidlateral surface, second elastic means being further provided between thebottom of said sliding seat and said at least one pawl to maintain saidat least one pawl pushed against said lateral surface, thus blockingsaid at least one hook with respect to said main body.

Further, according to the invention, said closing device can comprise aplurality of hooks, hinged to said main body and movable about a hingingaxis, opposed and by the action of first elastic means provided betweensaid main body and said at least a hook, respectively, between saidclosure configuration and said opening configuration, said blockingmeans acting independently on each one of said hooks.

Still according to the invention, said plurality of hooks can comprisetwo hooks hinged to said main body so as to be diametrically opposedeach other.

Always according to the invention, elastic reaction of said secondelastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hinging axiscan be higher than thrust along said hinging axis due to elasticreaction of said first elastic means acting on said at least one hookabout said hinging axis so as to prevent rotation of said at least onehook with respect to said main body about said hinging axis by saidfirst elastic means with said at least one pawl engaged within one ofsaid grooves.

Further, according to the invention, said elastic reaction of saidsecond elastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hingingaxis can be lower than thrust along said hinging axis generated by theaction of a user manually rotating said at least one hook with respectto said main body about said hinging axis so as to permit opening andclosure of said closing device.

Particularly, according to the invention, said first elastic means cancomprise, for each one of said at least one hook, a pin spring fit onthe pin defining hinging between said at least one hook and said mainbody, said pin spring having its arms respectively engaged within twocavities respectively realized by said main body and said at least onehook.

Preferably, according to the invention, said second elastic means cancomprise a helicoidal spring housed within said seat and placed betweensaid housing seat bottom and a thrusting surface defined by part of saidat least one pawl opposed with respect to said lateral surface, said atleast one pawl comprising an arm, sliding housed within said helicoidalspring to maintain alignment of said at least one pawl along saidhinging axis.

Still according to the invention, said closing device can comprise, foreach one of said at least one hook, a mechanical stop surface defined bysaid main body to prevent too large rotations of said at least one hookwhen passing from said closure configuration to said openingconfiguration and vice versa.

Finally, according to the invention, said blocking means can comprise afurther groove, obtained on said lateral surface of said at least onehook between said at least two grooves, so as to permit blocking of saidat least one hook in an intermediate configuration, between said openingconfiguration and said closure configuration.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative, but notlimitative, purposes, making reference to its preferred embodiments,with specific reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the closing device,particularly for jewels and like, according to the present invention, inthe closure configuration;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of closing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the closing device,particularly for jewels and like, according to the present invention, inthe opening configuration;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of closing device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of closing device according to the presentinvention, with outlined forces involved when passing from aconfiguration to another one;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a different embodiment of the closing devicerepresented in the previous drawings.

Making reference to FIGS. 1-5, closing device, particularly for jewelsand like, indicated by reference number 1, comprises a main body 2 andtwo intermediate hooks 3, hinged to the main body 2, so as to bediametrically opposed each other and movable about two hinging axis 4,opposed by and by the action of first elastic means 5, provided betweenmain body 2 and every hook 3, respectively between a closureconfiguration, wherein a free end 7 of each hook 3 is in contact with anabutment surface defined by main body 2, and an opening configuration,wherein said free end 7 is far from the abutment surface 8 for insertionof hook 3 within an annular body, and vice versa.

More specifically, in the specific embodiment, main body 2 is realizedby two clepsydra shape hemi-shell, and between which two hooks 13 arehoused, said hooks 13 having a substantially pear-shape, with a sideopen in such a way to have the base of said pear coming out from themain body 2, so as to realize, along with loop of main body 2, twolateral slots, opening in correspondence of the free ends.

Hinging of each hook 3 is realized by a relevant pin provided betweentwo hemi-shells along its hinging axis 4 and inserted within a holerealized by hook 3 cusp opposed to the above base.

As well clear from FIGS. 2 and 4, first elastic means 5 comprise, foreach hook 3, a pin spring 6, fit on hinging pin between hook 3 and mainbody 2 and having its arms 6 a and 6 b engaged, respectively, within twocavities 19 and 20 respectively realized by main body 2 and respectivehook 3.

According to the invention, blocking means 10 are provided for each hook3 in at least an opening configuration and a closure configuration.

Advantageously, said blocking means 10 comprise, for each hook 3, atleast two grooves 11, respectively defined on a lateral surface 13 ofeach hook 3 and at least a pawl 12, sliding housed within a sliding seat14 defined within main body 2 and a sized shirt, realized by a lathe,and developing along an interception direction 15, substantiallyperpendicular to the lateral surface 13.

Further, in order to keep pawl always pushed against lateral surface 13,engaging within one of said at least two grooves 11, with consequentblocking of hook 3 with respect to main body 2, second elastic means 16are provided, comprising, e.g. a helicoidal spring 17 placed between thebottom 18 of the sliding seat 14 and a thrust surface defined by a partof pawl 12 opposed with respect to the lateral surface 13.

In order to maintain alignment of pawl 12 along interception direction15, the same pawl 12 can be provided with a leg sliding housed withinthe helicoidal spring 17.

Advantageously, dimensioning of the whole closing device 1, andparticularly said elastic means 5 and 16, is such that elastic reaction“F” of second elastic means 16 acting on pawl 12 along relevantinterception direction 15 is, on one side, higher than thrust “S” alongthe interception direction 15 due to the elastic reaction “M” of firstelastic means 5 acting on hook 3 about hinging axis 4, and on the otherside, is lower than thrust “S” along the same interception direction 15due to the action of a user manually rotating the hook 3 with respect tothe main body 2 about the hinging axis 4, respectively, so as to preventrotation of hook 3 with respect to main body 2 about hinging axis 4 bythe effect of said first elastic means 5 with pawl 12 engaged within oneof the grooves 11 and in such a way to permit opening and closure ofclosing device 1.

Finally to complete main body 2, the same is provided with mechanicalstop surfaces 21 realized one for each hook 3 to prevent too largerotations of the same hooks 3 when passing from the closureconfiguration to the opening configuration.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a possible different embodiment of closing device1, indicated by reference number 100, it can be provided a single hook3.

In this case, main body 2 can be shaped in a different way or asdescribed in the above and can be provided with a fixed ring 99 to whicha chain or like can be associated.

In the same way, besides possibility of having at least a hook 3, inanother embodiment, not shown, it is possible providing a plurality ofhooks 3, e.g. three, four, five hooks in order to make it possibleconnecting a plurality of chains at the same time.

Said hooks 3, that can be evenly provided about a main symmetry axis, orin every wished shape, can have the technical features described in thepreceding.

Obviously, in this case, blocking means 10 will act independently oneach one of said hooks 3.

Working of the closing device 1 is clear and well evident from theabove.

Particularly, it is worthwhile underlining that the user can positioneach intermediate hook 3 in the opening or closing configuration so asto make the pawl 12 clicking from a groove 11 to the other one andopening the closing device 1 off an angle, e.g. about 35°, enough tointroduce the chain ring 9.

Then, it is possible passing always manually to the closure of the sameup to sending abutting the free end 7 on the abutment surface 8 of mainbody 2.

It has been noted that closing device, particularly for jewels and like,according to the invention, fully obtains the result and objectsindicated since it permits blocking the hook in an open position so asto make the hooking operation easier.

Closure device, particularly for jewels and like, so realized can bemodified, all the modifications and variations being within the scope ofthe invention.

Further, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalentelements.

Practically, materials used, as well as dimensions and shape, can bemodified on the basis of the needing and of the state of the art.

Finally, the closing device can provide in different embodiments afurther groove on lateral surface of the hook, between said two grooves,so as to permit blocking of the hook in an intermediate configuration,defined between said opening configuration and said closureconfiguration.

1. Closing device, particularly for jewels and like, comprising a mainbody and at least a hook, hinged each other with said at least a hookmovable about a hinging axis, opposed and by the action of first elasticmeans provided between said main body and said at least a hook,respectively, at least between a closure configuration, wherein a freeend of said at least a hook is in contact with an abutment surfacedefined by said main body, and an opening configuration, wherein saidfree end is far from said abutment surface, to permit insertion of saidat least one hook within a ring body, and vice versa, said device beingwherein it comprises blocking means in at least one of saidconfigurations, said blocking means comprising, for each one of said atleast one hook, at least two grooves, respectively obtained on a lateralsurface of said at least one hook, and at least a pawl, sliding housedwithin a sliding seat, obtained in said main body, along an interceptingdirection substantially perpendicular with respect to said lateralsurface, second elastic means being further provided between the bottomof said sliding seat and said at least one pawl to maintain said atleast one pawl pushed against said lateral surface, thus blocking saidat least one hook with respect to said main body.
 2. Closing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein it comprises a plurality of hooks, hingedto said main body and movable about a hinging axis, opposed and by theaction of first elastic means provided between said main body and saidat least a hook, respectively, between said closure configuration andsaid opening configuration, said blocking means acting independently oneach one of said hooks.
 3. Closing device according to claim 2, whereinsaid plurality of hooks comprises two hooks hinged to said main body soas to be diametrically opposed each other.
 4. Closing device accordingto claim 1, wherein elastic reaction of said second elastic means actingon said at least one pawl along said hinging axis is higher than thrustalong said hinging axis due to elastic reaction of said first elasticmeans acting on said at least one hook about said hinging axis so as toprevent rotation of said at least one hook with respect to said mainbody about said hinging axis by said first elastic means with said atleast one pawl engaged within one of said grooves.
 5. Closing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said elastic reaction of said secondelastic means acting on said at least one pawl along said hinging axisis lower than thrust along said hinging axis generated by the action ofa user manually rotating said at least one hook with respect to saidmain body about said hinging axis so as to permit opening and closure ofsaid closing device.
 6. Closing device according to claim 1, whereinsaid first elastic means comprise, for each one of said at least onehook, a pin spring fit on the pin defining hinging between said at leastone hook and said main body, said pin spring having its armsrespectively engaged within two cavities, respectively realized by saidmain body and said at least one hook.
 7. Closing device according toclaim 1, wherein said second elastic means comprise a helicoidal springhoused within said seat and placed between said housing seat bottom anda thrusting surface defined by part of said at least one pawl opposedwith respect to said lateral surface, said at least one pawl comprisingan arm, sliding housed within said helicoidal spring to maintainalignment of said at least one pawl along said hinging axis.
 8. Closingdevice according to claim 1, wherein it comprises, for each one of saidat least one hook, a mechanical stop surface defined by said main bodyto prevent too large rotations of said at least one hook when passingfrom said closure configuration to said opening configuration and viceversa.
 9. Closing device according to claim 1, wherein said blockingmeans comprise a further groove, obtained on said lateral surface ofsaid at least one hook between said at least two grooves, so as topermit blocking of said at least one hook in an intermediateconfiguration, between said opening configuration and said closureconfiguration.